Today marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the armistice which brought to an end the hostilities of the Korean War, and whilst the battlefields of Korea are not as well-known as Gallipoli, Villers-Bretonneux or Kokoda, brave local Wimmera men still answered the call and their sacrifice is no less significant than those who fell in more famous battles.

Within days of the invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces on 25 June 1950, the United Nations Security Council had the support of 21 member nations to defend South Korea, including Australia.

The Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force committed forces to the United Nations effort in Korea within a week of the war's beginning and Australian ground troops arrived in September 1950. The armistice was signed on 27 July 1953, the last troops did not leave Korean shores until August 1957.

Approximately 18,000 Australian service personnel served in Korea between 1950 and 1957, including Army and Royal Australian Air Force nurses. Australia suffered around 1,500 casualties, including over 350 who lost their lives, and 30 who were taken prisoner. More than 40 Australians are still listed as missing in action.

Private Alfred Spedding Ellis Codling was born at Dimboola but was living at Smeaton north of Ballarat when he enlisted in April 1952.

Codling was serving in the 1st Battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment and was one of two Australians killed and four injured in action on 11 November 1952.

A tree dedicated to Codling forms part of the Avenue of Honour at the Dimboola Memorial Secondary College, and is the only one commemorating a Korean War casualty.

Originally interred at Tanggok Cemetery in South Korea, Codling is now buried at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery at Busan, also in South Korea

Private Clarence Ernst Budde of Jeparit served in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and was injured in late July 1952.

He was transferred back to Australia to the Repatriation General Hospital in Heidelberg, Melbourne, but unfortunately died of his wounds on 31 October 1952. He was only 20 years old when he passed away.

Budde was buried in the Jeparit cemetery (above) and is also commemorated at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Busan in South Korea.